Life is Full of Fleeting Dreams

"I don't want to go with you on this business trip," Lucy Landon said at the dinner table. Her voice was calm, so calm that no one could sense anything unusual.Steven Cooper's trip was set for June 1st.It wasn't their wedding anniversary, nor was it anyone's birthday. Just an ordinary Children's Day.Three days ago, she had stumbled upon a voice message on Steven's phone.A child's soft and childish voice had said, "Daddy, for Children's Day, I want to go to Maldove to see fish!"Lucy had stood there for a long time, frozen.She and Steven had been in love for ten years, married for six. Everyone said he loved her to the bone, that he couldn't bear to be apart from her, not even on business trips.She had believed that too. Until that childish voice shattered the illusion completely.The child sounded about four or five years old, which meant that not long after they had married, Steven had already gotten another woman pregnant.For five years, he had played the role of a de

"No need to trouble yourself. I'll just look at them with Mrs. Cooper," she said, leading the children inside. With a smile, she turned to Lucy. "You don't mind, do you?"The store clerk hesitated, instinctively reaching out to stop her. But in the end, she didn't dare. She could only watch as the woman walked in and sat beside Steven.The older child, a boy, lit up with excitement. "Daddy!"The younger girl immediately threw herself into Steven's arms. "Daddy! I missed you so much!" Her voice cracked as she burst into tears.Steven's brows knitted tightly. He wanted to avoid the little girl, but she was so small, so soft, that in the end, he couldn't bring himself to push her away. Instead, he turned his anger to the children's mother. "What kind of parenting is this? Teaching your kids to call just anyone 'Daddy'?"The woman, however, didn't seem the least bit upset. There was even a faint smile on her lips. Leisurely, she pulled the girl out of Steven's embrace and spoke gently

Stepping into the home she had lived in for six years, Lucy felt an eerie sense of detachment, as if she had stepped into a distant past that no longer belonged to her.But she had no time to dwell on sentimentality. In half a month, Camille would arrange for the accident at sea. There was still much to prepare.First, a ticket.If she booked a flight under her name, Steven would undoubtedly track her down.So, she grabbed her ID and headed out.As she passed through the living room, her mother-in-law was scrolling through her phone. Out of the corner of her eye, Lucy caught a glimpse of the screen—it was filled with children's toys.She was probably picking out gifts for Shawn and Sharon for Children's Day.Noticing her passing by, the older woman quickly locked her screen. "Lucy, are you heading out?"Lucy nodded. "Just running some errands.""Why don't you wait for Steven to come home? He can drive you.""No need. He has more important things to handle. I wouldn't want to

On June 1st, Steven left.He had told Lucy in advance that this trip would be busy, that he might not have time to message her.But there wasn't any shortage of news of him.All sent by Marilyn.Photos, videos—plenty of them.Steven taking Shawn diving.Steven carrying Sharon on his shoulders, watching fireworks.Steven cradling both children, lulling them to sleep.Steven feeding them at the dinner table.[He's such a good father. He takes care of everything himself. I barely need to lift a finger.][Look at how happy they are with their daddy. Can you really bear to let them live without him?][Oh, by the way, Steven promised the kids an island tour. Not just Maldove this time.][Steven bought me a new ring. Pretty, isn't it?]Attached was a photo of Marilyn's hand. On her left ring finger was a delicate women's ring—the exact one Lucy had picked out in a jewelry store not long ago.Lucy scrolled up, finding the picture of Steven feeding the kids.On his right ring fin

Marilyn's grievance deepened, but she took a step back, speaking with quiet resignation. "I know you want to stay with Lucy, so I never planned to force you. As long as you take a look at the kids, let them know their father still thinks of them, that's enough. As for me... I wouldn't dare ask for anything more.""Forget it. I'm already here. Lucy must be mad at me... I'll let her cool down and bring a gift back to make it up to her."Steven rubbed his temples, giving himself a way out.He had already told Lucy that he wouldn't be accompanying her. Even if he regretted it now, even if he wanted to watch the sunrise with her, it was too late. He might as well spend more time with the kids.For the past five years, he had lived cautiously, afraid she might catch on. Maybe it was time to loosen up a little.Sensing the moment, Marilyn gently took his arm, leading him toward the hospital room. She whispered as they walked, "The kids miss you terribly. It's been hard for me to manage b